Stamp-vending machine.



G. L. REICHHELM. STAMP VENDING'MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILBILSEP'LO, 1,071,178. 4 19 Patented Aug.26,1913.

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STAMP VENDING MACHINE. APPLIoA'rIon funn SEPT. 2o, isos.

Patented Allg. 26, 1913.

10 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

EaZ/eiwit G. L.REICHHELM.

STAMP VENDING MACHINE.

APPLwATlox FILED sxzrT. zo, 1909.

1-,07 1 ,1 78, Patented Aug. 26, 1913.

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STAMP VBNDING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED SEYT. 20, 1909.

Patented Aug. 26, 1913.

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G. L. REICHHELM. STAMP mmm@ mening.

APPLICATION FILED SEPT. 20, 1909.

Patented Aug. 26, 1913.

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e/m YM G. L. RBICHHELM. STAMP VBNDING MACHINE. APPLICATION FILED SEPT.20, 1909.

Patented Aug. 26, 1913.

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1,071,178. Patented Aug.26,1913.

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1 ,O7 1 1 78 Patented Aug. 26, 1913.

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G. L. REIGHHELM. suur vmmme MACHINE.

APPLIOATIOII FILED SEPT. 20. 1909.

Patented Aug. 26, 1913.

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UNITED sTATEs PATENT OFFICE.

'GEORGE L. REICHHELM, OF DENVER, COLORADO, ASSIGNOR, BY DIRECT AND MESNEASSIGNMENTS, OF ONE-HALF TO FREDERICK A. CURTISS, OF DENVER, COLORADO,AND ONE-HALF TO I. R. MANUFACTURING COMPANY, OF DETROIT, MICHIGAN, A

CORPORATION oF MICHIGAN.

STAMP-VENDINC MACHINE.

Specication of Letters Patent.

Patented Aug. 26, 1913.

To all whom t may concern.

Be it known that I, GEORGE L. REICH- HELM, a citizen of the UnitedStates, residing at Denver, in the county of Denver and State ofColorado, have invented certain new land useful Improvements in Stamp-Vending Machines, of which the following is a specification.

It has heretofore been proposed to vend stamps by means of machines, andthereby obviate the expense of an attendant to sell the stamps, but ithas been found diflicult to accurately sever the delivered stamp fromthe supply strip of stamps owing to the character of feeding mechanismheretofore employed. Such heretofore proposed machines have also been socomplicated and delicate as to be incapable of withstanding the hardusage to which they must necessarily be subjected.

The primary object of my invention is to provide a machine for detachingfrom a strip of stamps, tickets, or similar flexible articles, one ormore of such articles, and delivering the same to a purchaser, whichwill accurately detach the articles without mutilation regardless of thecondition of the supply of the articles in the machine.

A further object of my' invention is to provide an etlicient machine fordelivering postage stamps, gummed labels and the like, and aflixing themto letters, packages etc. A further object of my invention is to providemeans whereby the operation of the machine may be controlled by theinsertion of a coin therein and to so construct such means that therewill be the least possible opportunity to fraudulently operate themachine.

Another object of my invention is to provide means for preventing theoperation of the atlixing devices and causing the stamps or otherarticles to be delivered in a dry condition.

Another object is to provide a mechanism by which a single coin Willcause the delivery of ua plurality of stamps, either dry or affixed.

Another object is to provide an automatic means for indicating thesupply of stamps in the machine.

A still further object of 4my invention is to provide a machine fordelivering stamps and similar flexible articles, which will becomparatively simple in construction, durable in use, and eiicient inoperation.

Other objects will be made apparent in the following specification andclaims taken in connection .with the accompanying drawings, in whichyFigure 1 is a perspective view of my machine as equipped with a handcrank. Fig. 2 is a front elevation with portions of the casing brokenaway. F ig.A 3 is a vertical section approximately on the line 3--3 ofFig. 2. Fig. 4 is a vertical section of the upper portion of the machineon the line 4 4 of Fig. 3 with the case removed. Fig.

5 is a front elevation with the case re' moved. Fig. 6 is a detailshowing the cam which actuates the stamp feeding slide. Fig. 7 is adetail of the stamp pressing slide. Fig. 8 is a side view of same. Fig.9 is a detail of the upper portion of the needle carrying slide. Fig. 10is a vertical section on the line 10-10 of Fig. 5. Fig. 11 is a detailshowing the coin operated levers. Fig. 12 is another view of sameshowing their connections with the clutch on the shaft. Fig. 13 is ahorizontal section of a detail on the line 13-13 of Fig. 12. Fig. 13 isan elevation of the same. Fig. 14 is a sectional plan view of a detailon line 14 of Fig. 12showing the clutch arm. Fig. 15 is an enlarged viewof the lower end of one of the coin actuated levers. Fig. 16 is anenlarged view of the lower portion of the other coin actuated lever.Fig. 17 is a perspective View of the stamp feeding slide. Fig. 18 is aperspective view of the basket. Fig. 19 is a horizontal section of thestamp feeding mechanism on approximately the line 19-19 of Fig. 20enlarged. Fig. 20 is a vertical section on the line 20-20 of Fig. 19enlarged. Fig. 21 is a perspective View enlarged of the wiper carryingslide. Fig. 22 is a perspective view enlarged of the wiper. Fig. 23 is aperspective View enlarged of the end' of thewiper carrying spring. Fig.24 is a plan view of the base of the machine. with portions of the casein section. Fig. 25 is a cross section through the wiper and waterfeeding box and wick, on the line 25 of'Fig. 10. Fig. 26 is a crosssection on the line 26 of Fig. 10 showing the wiper disconnecting wedge.Fig. 27 is a view similar to 26 with the wedge in its operated positionwhich allows the wiper to become disconnected. Fig. 28 is a perspectiveview of the coin retaining shelf. Fig. 29 is a perspective view of thepivoted chute. Fig. 3() is a horizontal Section showing the locking baron line 30-30 of Figs. 3 and 31. Fig. 31 is a side elevation of a partof the ease near the locking bar, with portions in section. Fig. 32 is aView of the relation of the two slides and the cam lever.

Similar reference numerals are used to designate similar parts in theseveral fig ures of the drawings.

Reference numeral 15 designates a case provided with downwardlyprojecting hooks 16 which pass through slots 17 in a base 40. After thehooks have passed through said slots 17 the case is given a backwardmovement and thereby secured to said base (Fig. 3). The bolt 18 of alock, the mechanism of which is inclosed in the casing 19 and isoperated by a key inserted in the slot 20, is adapted to hold the saidcase in the above described position, when moved into the aperture 21 ofthe base, as shown in` Fig. 31.

Uoz'n controlled mechanism.-A lever 26 pivoted at 28 to the interior frmework 60 is provided at its lower end wit a foot 25 which enters theaperture 21 in the base. The upper end of the lever 26 is provided witha lug 27 which is adapted to engage with a lug 30 on a disk 32 which iskeyed to a main shaft 31 of the machine. A spring 29 tends to cause thelever 26 to take the above described position. The foot 25 is adapted toreceive the downward pressure of the lock bar 18. This downward pressurecauses the lever 26 to be moved to a position such that the lug 27 willmove out of engagement with the lug 30. The disk 32 is fixed to the mainshaft 31 by a pin 34. The hub 33 of the said disk 32 is provided with anotch 35 which is adapted to receive the hooked end of the lever 71 ofFigs. 3 and 12.

The case l5 is provided with the glass window 45 which is fixed in placebehind the aperture 46. The case is also provided with the slot 47 forthe insertion of a coin which controls the mechanism of the machine. Theletter to be stamped is placed below the downwardly projecting portion4.8 and may be guided into position by the inclined surfaces 49 and 50at either side of the said projection 48. The space 51 between saiddownwardly projecting portion 48 and the case 40 of the machine is madesulicient to permit the easy insertion of the letter.

The greater part of the mechanism of the machine is supported by theframework, of which the plates 60 and 61 comprise rthe main elements.The plate 60'may be called the right-hand frame and the plate 61 theleft-hand frame. are secured to the base 40 and are provided withupwardly projecting posts 62 having the slots 63 into which the shaft ofa drum carrying a strip of stamps is inserted. A plate 64 is fixed tothe front edges of the side frames 60 and 61. A plate 65 is fixed to therear edges of the side frames 60, 6l. It will be seen that the fourplates 60, 61, 64 and 65 form the framework of the machine. A hollowshaft is journaled in the side frames 60 and 61. The side frame 61 isprovided with an inwardly bent portion 66 which supports the left-handjournal 77 of said hollow shaft 70. Shoulders 78 and 79 cause the shaftto be held in position against endwise movement. The hook shaped lever71 is pivoted at 72, upon the right-hand face or end 74 of the saidhollow shaft 70. A spring 73 fixed also to the end face of said shaftbears upon the opposite arm 75 of said lever 71. The tension of thespring 73 tends at all times to cause the engagement of the hook end ofthe lever with the notch 35 in the hub of the disk 32. A lever pivotedat 81 to the side frame 60 is provided with a lat-eral projection 82 atits upper end. This projection 82 has an inclined face and in its normalposition closes the slot 47 in the casing`15. A spring 84 fixed to themain frame constantly tends to maintain the said lever in the saidnormal position. The lever 80 is provided with another lateralprojection 83 which passes through a slot 84a in the side frame 60. Inthe normal position of said lever this projection 83 has a positiondirectly above a notch 86 in the lever 71, Fig. 14. This notch 86 isformed by a bend 87 in the arm 75 of the said lever. This notch is soplaced that the bodily movement /of the lever 71 about the axis of theshaft 31 when it is carried around by the hollow shaft 70, will cause itto pass the projection 83. It will be seen that if the projection 83were moved away from its normal position in which normal position it isshown in Figs. 3 and 12, the said movement about the shaft 31 would beprevented. It will also be seen that when the said shaft is rotated thehooked end of the lever 71 would be moved out of engagement with thenotch 35, if the projection 83 were not in its normal position. Thelever 71 being pivoted to the hollow shaft 70 and the disk 32 beingfixed to the shaft 31 it will seem that interference by the projection83 with the arm 75 will cause a disengagement or un clutching of theVshaft 31 and hollow shaft 70- A lever 90 is pivoted to the main frameat 93 and is provided with a projection 91 at its upper end. Thisprojection 91 has a sloping or beveled portion 95 which lies be- Theseplates 60 and 61Vj heath the slot 47 and in the path of a coin which maybe inserted therein. A spring 92 fixed to the main frame is so mountedthat it constantly tends to cause the projection 91 to move to the leftin Fig. 11 and in the path of a coin, whichmay be inserted in the slot.The lower end of the lever 90 is provided with a lug or projectingportion 94 which in the unoperated position of the lever lies directlyabove the extreme end of the arm 75 of the lever 71. The lever 90 is somounted and proportioned that when a coin is pressed into the slotagainst the sloping face 95 and projection 91, the lug 94 will be movedaway from its position above the end of said arm 75. The said arm 75 andlever 71 will then be free to move in a. circular direction about theaxis of the shaft 31. The hooked end of the lever 71 will become engagedwith the notch 35, because 'of the tension of the spring 73. Thisengagement can take place only when the projection 83 on the lever 80 isin its normal position above the notch 86 in the lever 71. The abovedescription of the parts applies particularly to their positions asshown in Fig. 12. At any other position in the rotary movement of shafts31 and 70 the hooked end of the lever 7l will of course be free toengage the notch 35 under the tension of the spring 73. A gear 100 isfixed to the hollow shaft 70 and lies between the shoulder 79 of saidshaft and the side frame 60. This gear 100 meshes with a gear 101 havingtwice the number of teeth and supported on a stud 102 in the main frame60. The gear 101 is provided with a ring shaped projection 103, which isinterrupted or cut away for a portion of the circumference at 104 (Fig.12). The lever 80 has a lateral projection 110, which is adapted to moveinto the space 104 when the said lever 80 is operated. When the lever 80is in its unop` erated position, as shown in Fig. 12, the projection 110is within the ring 103 and the gear 101 is free to rotate. In theoperated position of the lever 80, however, the projection 110 isbrought into the space 104 and interference with the ring 103 resultsand prevents the rotation of said gear 101. It will be seen that tworotations of the gear 100 will be necessary to cause one rotation of thegear 101. This is due to the fact that there are twice as many teeth ingear 101 as there are in gear 100. After the gear 101 has been rotatedto a sufficient extent to move the notch in the ring 103 out of therange of the projection 101, the lever 80 cannot beV airain operateduntil two complete revolutions of the gear 100 have taken place.

The gear 101 is provided with an aperture 115, which is adapted toreceive the lug 95 of the lever 90. The gear 101 is also provided withan inclined lug 116, which revolution of the gear 100, t e inclined lug116 will come into engagement with the projection 95 and produce amovement of the lever 90. Another half revolution of the gear 101corresponding with the whole revolution of the gear 100 will again bringthe aperture 115 opposite to the projection 95. It will be seen that inone complete revolution of the gear 101 the lever 90 will be given twomovements. One of these movements will be to cause the lever 90 to cometo its normal position as shown in Fig. 11. This position causes theprojection 91 to lie in the path of the coin that may be inserted Theother movement will be such as to move the projection 91 out of the pathof the coin. This latter movement, as will be described later, causes arelease of a coin that is being held by the projection 91.

The coin slot 47 leads to a chute 120 having vertical and inclinedportions formed by bars 121, 122. The chute lies between the frame plate64 and a thinner sheet metal piece 135, and leads to a hinged chute 124.The chute 124 inclines downwardly to the left as seen in Fig. 2 and ishinged to the small rod 136 carried by the lugs 137, and engaging thehinge members 126. A slot 123 in the chute 124 receives the coin fromthe chute 120, a flange 134 serving to guide the coin to said slot (Fig.29). At the lower end of the chute 124 is a slot 125 for the dischargeof the coin. This slot 125 normally lies above a shelf 127 which isattached to the main frame, and it is only when the chutel 124 is swungoutwardly and free of the shelf 127 that the coin is free to dropthrough the slot 125.

The chute 124 is of sufficient length to hold three coins at the sametime, and they are visible from the outside of the machine through theglass window 45. The chute is swung outwardly to discharge the lowermostcoin, by an arm 130 on the lever 80. This arm lies directly behind andin alinement with a notch 129 in the hinged chute 124. The said arm isadapted to push the chute outwardly only when a coin lies therein andprevents the passage of the arm through said notch 129. An upwardlyprojecting lug 131 (Fig. 2) on the shelf 127 is adapted to lie acrossthe lower part of the chute 124 when the chute is swung to its j outerposition. In this position the lug 131 occupies a notch 132 and preventsthe middle coin from rolling to the lower end of the chute. A spring 133causes the chute 124 to return to its normal position when the arm 130is drawn back. The lug 131 is then out of the notch 132 and the middlecoin is free to roll to the lower end of the chute. An emd wall 128closes the end of the chute and is preferably made integral with theshelf` 127. After leaving the chute 124 the coin drops upon an inclinedchute 139 which leads to a box 140 where the coins are collected.

Ayjwz'ng mechanismf-T he hollow shaft 70 has a crank disk 150 fixed toits end, and said disk carries a crank pin 151. This crank pin 151actuates the principal moving parts of the .machine by means of slides152 and 170 and the cam lever 180. The cam lever 18() is connected withmechanism which draws the stamps from a reel as will be described laterand feeds them forward to cutting and affixing devices.

The slide 152 (Fig. 9) is provided with a slot 160 composed of ahorizontal portion 159, an inclined portion 160 and another horizontalportion 101. The crank pin 151 operates in this slot causing avertically reciprocating movement, the slide being guided in a verticaldirection by the pins 155 and|156 which work in the slots 157. The slide152 is provided with a right- Aangular foot 153 at its lower end whichcarries four downwardly projecting needles 154. These needles areadapted to penetrate the stamp while it is being held in their downwardpath, and then to carry the stamp downwardly to the point Where it is tobe affixed. The movement of the pin 151 to the right as viewed in Figs.9, 10 and 32 rst causes a rapid downward movement of the slide 152 assaid pin moves along the upwardly inclined portion 160 of the slot. Thesubsequent downward movement which takes place after the pin 151 hasreached the horizontal portion 161 is of a kind commonly known as simpleharmonic.

The slide 170 is provided with a slot 171 at right angles to itsdirection of movement in which the. crank pin 151 also operates. The pin151 causes a vertically reciprocating movement of said slide, this slide17 0 being also guided by the pins 155 and 156 which work in the slots172 and 173. The movement of the slide is therefore simple harmonic. Theslide 170 has a right angularly projecting foot 174 at its lower end towhich is Vfixed the pressure pad 175, which is preferabl made of rubber.The fool-l 174 is providedY with apertures 176 in alinement with theneedles 154 on the slide 152. The slide 152 is adapted to move quicklydownward during the early part of its stroke, because of the inclinedportion 160a of its slot, while the slide 17 0 has a moreuniformmoveinent. These relative movements result in thejfoot 153quickly approaching or overtaking the foot 174.and cause the needles 154to penetrate the pad 175 and protrude below its lower face. At thispoint they lie above the stamp 162 which has previously been fed forwardto a position directl below the pad 175 by mechanism which ywill bedescribed later. This mechanism includes arms 200 which hold the stampin position while it is being perforated by the needles. The inclinedportion 160a of the slot 160 is also adapted to cause the slide 152 tobe raised before the crank pin 151 has reached the lower extremity ofits circular movement. This movement results in the withdrawal ofthe/needles 154 from their extended osition below the pad 175 before thesaid pa reaches its lowermost position. The pad is then free to pressthe stamp into position.

Feeding mechanisms-The cam lever 182 is pivoted at 181 to the side frame61. The lower end of the lever 182 is pivotally connected to a stampfeeding slide or cradle 183, by a pin 202. This cam lever 182 isprovided with a loo shaped cam portion 180 within the interior ofwhich'loop, the crank pin 151 operates. The outline of the interior ofsaid loop has a particular shape givento it in order to bring about thedesired reciprocating movements in the stamp feeding cradle or slide183. These reciprocating movements shouldv be such as to bring the stampbeneath the pressure pad 175, needles 174 etc. at the right time. Thesemovements should also be such as to withdraw the arms 200, out of thepath of said descending parts, after the said arms have performed theirwork. The meistening apparatus, one of the principal parts of which isrepresented by 260 and is termed the moistening member, should be giventhe roper stroke across the gummed face of tllie stamp by the said cam180, which will hereafter be described.

A straight portion 184 of the interior ed e of the cam is provided togive an init'aT movement to the slide 183. The straight portion 185makes an angle with the part 183, and. said angular portion causes thepin 151 to accelerate the said movement of the slide 183. The curvedportion 186 is adapted to cause a rest in the vmovement at the end ofthe stroke because of the fact,that at that time it will lie along aradial line running from the center of the shaft 31 to the pivot 181.

The inclined edge 187 is acted upon by the pin 151 to cause the initialart of the return movement of said shde 183. The shoulder 188 is adaptedto receive the pressure of the pin 151 rather quickly and to cause arapid movement in the latter part of the return stroke. The circularportion 189 is designed to be concentric with, the movement of the pin151 during the remainder of its revolution. During this period nomovement is produced.

The feed arms 200 are shown more in detail in Figs. 19 and 20. They arepivoted to the stamp feeding slide or cradle 183 by means of the pin201. ried in holes 201 in cradle 183 Fig. 17.

This pin 201 is carf zontally disposed portion 221.

The cradle 183 is guided at its forward end by the pins 202 and 204which work in the slots 205 in the said frames 60 and 61. The pin 202transmits the movement from the lower end of the cam lever 182 to thesaid slide 183. The opposite end of the stamp feeding slide or cradle183 is guided by the lugs 206, which project laterally from the sidewalls 208 of the said slide and work in the slots 207 in the side frames60 and 61. The side walls 208 are rigidly connected by the main body 209or bottom plate of the said slide or cradle 183.

The feeding arms 200 are provided with pointed lugs 215 which areadapted to enter the perforations between the stamps. The stamps arearranged in ribbon form and wound upon a reel. This ribbon of stamps 216is unwound from the reel 217 while the stamps are being consumed. @aidreel is supported by means of a shaft or trunnions 218 in upwardlyprojecting posts 62 of the side frames 60 and 61. The arms 200 areprovided with laterally projectingr lugs 219 which are adapted to rideupon the inclined faces 220 and on to the horizontally disposed faces ofparts which are to be described later. The forward portions of the arms200 are provided with V-shaped grooves 222, which are adapted to receiveth ends of the needles 154 while they are being pressed through thestamp, during the downward movement of the slide 152. A pressure plate225 is adapted to rest upon the upper surface of the stamp while it isbeing engaged by the pointed lugs 215. The said pressure plate isprovided' with rearwardly extending arms 226 which are pivotallyattached to the frame by the pins 227. A spring 228 is provided with anangularly disposed end 230 which is inserted beneath the downwardlyprojecting lug 229 in the main frame. The other lend 231 of the saidspring 228 rests upon the upper side of the main body of the pressureplate 225 and causes a pressure on said plate downwardly against thestamp. The under side of the pressure plate is provided with grooves 232which permit the pointed lugs 215`to pass through perforations in thestamp without interference with said pressure plate.

A supporting device and guide for the feed arms 200 is represented bythe numeral 240 and termed a basket (Fig. 18). The said basket isprovided with rearwardly extending arms 241, which are pivotallyattached to the main frame by means of th(` pin 227. The said basket isalso provided with rearwardly extending arms which terminate in thesloping ends 242, which lead upwardly to a horizontal portion 243, whichin turn leads to another inclined portion 220 and which also leadsupwardly to a hori- The lugs 219 of the feed arms 200 are adapted toslide upon the said surfaces 242, 243, 220 and 221 and the desiredmovements are thereby given to the vsaid arms to cause the pointed lugs215 to properly enter the perforations in the stamps.

The basket 240 is provided with lateral openings 244,.in which aredisposed springs 246 xed to the basket at the lower edges of saidopenings. These springs 246 project upwardly and are curved inwardly,and at their extreme upper ends are provided with outwardly bent ends245, which terminate at a level slightly below the horizontal guidingsurfaces 221. The curved surfaces of said springs 246 which are adjacentthe upper ends 245 are spaced from each other a distance slightly lessthan the distance between the outer extremities of the lugs 219. It willbe seen that a downward movement of the lugs 219 after they pass thesupporting surfaces 221 will be yieldably resisted by the tension ofthese springs. The basket is also provided with the rearwardly andupwardly extending leaf-springs 247 which terminate in horizontallydisposed portions 248. These springs are adapted to lift the feedingarms 200 during their rearward movement, and the portions 248 areadapted to hold them in a position ready for a new feeding stroke. Thebasket 240- is also provided with knives 249, which are adapted to cutthe stamp from the ribbon at the time the pressure pad 175 comes to aposition adjacent the edges of said knife. The basket 240 is alsoprovided with upwardly projecting and pointed lugs 250 at the extremityof the horizontal guiding surfaces 221. These lugs 250 are adapted tocoact with the pressure plate 225 in clamping or gripping the forwardouter edges of the stamp, and holding it rigidly in place while thecutting off of the preceding stamp is taking place, while the feedingarms are being withdrawn to their initial position, and during all suchother portions of the operations in which the stamp is not in motion.

The inclined guide surfaces 220 are adapt-- ed to press the pointed lugs215 through the perforations of the stamp, and to raise the stamp andpressure plate out of contact with the lugs 250. The horizontallydisposed guide surface 221 maintains an upward pressure of the armsagainst the stamp and pressure plate, and also holds the pointed lugs inengagement with the perforations during the forward feeding stroke ofthe stamp. The basket 240 is supported in the main frame at its forwardend by the laterally projecting lugs 251, which are preferablyextensions of the cutting knives 249. These lugs 251 lie below the lugs252 in the main frame 60 and 61. They are pressed downwardly into theslot 253 and then forwardly to a position beneath the said lugs 252. Asbefore described the other end of the basket is supported by the pin227. The cutting knives 249 are slotted at 254 to permit the downwardmovement of the arms 200 after they have performed their mission offeeding the stamp to its position under the pad 175. The pointed lugs215 are so disposed upon the arms 200 that at the extremity of theforward movement of the stamp feeding mechanism they will be inalinenient with the knives 249.

The moistener 260 is provided with lugs 261 which are inserted inapertures 262 in the upwardly projecting lugs 263 of the moistenercarrying spring 266 (Figs. 10, 22 and The upwardly projecting end 264 ofsaid spring serves to prevent the forward tilting of the moistener 260.A spring 268 bears upon the rearwardly extending loop of said moistener260 and prevents its tilting backwardly, while allowing a certainfreedom of movement thereof. The springs 266 and 268 are fixed at 267 tothe moistener slide 270. 'lhe spring 266 is provided with laterallyprojecting lugs 265, which bear upon the inclined under edges 277 of theside frames` and 61. These inclined edges 277 are joined to a curvedportion 279 at their lower ends, said curved portion terminating at theslightly elevated ends 278.

The above described inclined edges and curves serve as a guiding meansfor the moistener 260. The moistening pad 280 is ydisposed just abovethe extremities 278 of said guides and it will be seen that as themoistener travels rearwardly it will have combined upward and rearwardmovements which bring it into contact with lsaid moistening pad 280. Themoistening pad 280 is inclosed in an inverted holder 281, which extendsthrough an aperture 285 in the side frame 61 and opens into the waterreceptacle 282. The water in this receptacle as shown by the numeral 283lies below the level of the under surface of the pad 280. This pad 280is in the nature of a wick and as will be seen in Fig. 25 is leddownwardly to the bottom of said water receptacle 282. A cap 284 isprovided for filling the receptacle with water.

The moistener slide 270' is provided with laterally projecting lugs 271at its forward end which slide in guide slots' 271a in the said frame 60and 61. The lateral projections 272 at the rear end of the `moistenerslide lie at the upper end of the inclined portion 273 of said slide,and are guided by the slots 207 in the side frames 60, 61. The lateralprojections 272 have a limited movement relative to the stamp feedingslide or cradle 183. This movement is limited by the shoulder 274 in onedirection and by the lugs 206 in the other direction. The wiper slide270 is provided with a rearwardly projecting extension 275, whichinterior of said casing.

is adapted to pass through an aperture 302 in the main frame and to comein contact with an inclined plate 290 upon the upper end of the upwardlyprojecting end 291 of a lever 292. The lever 292 is pivoted at 293 tothe base plate 40 and is adapted to be operated by the hand of theoperator at the end 294 (Figs. 24 and 27). The plate 290 is providedwith a downwardly inclined portion 299 and the lever 292 is so mountedthat a movementof the forward end 294 of the lever will cause the upperportion 290a of said plate to be removed from a position beneath the endof the extension 275. The extension 275 is, therefore, free to fall andthe lugs 272 will drop into the lower part 300 of the enlarged end oftheslots 207. The shoulder 301 is adapted to come in contact with the lugs206 and prevent the forward motion of the moistener. A spring 303 fixedat 304 lto the base plate and the other end 305 to the lever 292 servesto bring said lever to its normal position when the hand of the operatoris removed from the end 294. The inclined portion 299 of the plate 290raises the extension 275 and with it the rear end of the moistener slide270. The moistener is by this means again operatively connected with thestamp feeding slide or cradle 183. A slide 296 is loosely attached tothe lever 292 by the pin or lug 295. The slide 296 is fitted within agroove 297 in thc base 40 and normally fills said groove from end toend. A continuous fiat surface is then presented for the ar- .y ticle tolie on and to receive the pressure of the afixing pad 175. When the end294 of lever 292 is moved to the left, the slide 296 is removed from thepath of the stamp and a dry stamp will fall into said groove.

A counting device 320, Fig. 3, is fixed to the casing by rivets orscrews 321 upon the An aperture 322 is provided in the casing in such aposition as to permit the reading of thefeharacters on the indicatingdisks. The indicating disks or wheels in this counter are preferablymade to count down or backwardly from the largest number which thecounter indicates. time indicate the number of stamps that remain in themachine. The counting mechanism includes a star wheel 323 whose teethare engaged by the hooked end 325 of a spring 324, attached at 326 tothe slide 152.

This number will, therefore, at any It will be seen that every downwardstroke of the slide 152 will cause a rotary Inovement of the star wheel323. The construction of the mechanism of this counter is of a wellknown form and is not illustrated in .the drawings or described in thespecififunctions and operations having already been referred to. It willbe understood that lthe lever 26 has been operated by the lock bar 18 insuch a manner as to cause the lug 27 to be moved out of the path of thelug 30. The shaft 31 on the machine is then free t0 be operated in aright hand direction as viewed in Fig. 3. When the lever 26 has not beenthus operated the handle 22 can be unserewed from the shaft 31, the disk32 making a revolution until the lug 30 comes in contact with theopposite side of the lug 27.

Referring to Fig. 1, the person using the machine first inserts a coinin the slot 47. The said coin engages the inclined surface 82 and pushesthe end 85 of the lever 80 backwardly, thus bringing the projection 83to a position out of registry with the notch 86 and in the path of thelever 71. The shaft 31 cannot then be rotated without causing the lever71 to be disengaged at its hooked end from the notch 35. This amounts toan operative disengagement of the shaft 31 from the hollow shaft 70.Because of the fact that all of the important mechanism of the machineis driven by the hollow shaft 70, it will be seen that a stamp cannotbedelivered until the coin is pushed far enough to pass entirely withinthe end 85 of the lever 80. This will permit the projection 83 to liedirectly above the notch 86. In this relation of the parts the hookedend of the lever 71 will not be moved out of the notch 35 when the shaft31 is rotated, unless the projecting lug 94 of the lever 90 interfereswith said lever 71. When the coin is,y

fully inserted within the slot 47 beyond the end 82 of the lever 80 itcomes into'contact with the beveled end 95 of the lever 90. Through thismeans the lever 90 is oscillated until the coin rests against the end ofthe lug 91. By this movement the projecting lug 94 of the lever 90 willbe removed from a position above the end of the arm of the lever 71.This lug 94 will then not interfere with the movement of the lever 71.When the lug 94 is removed from such position and the projection 83 liesdirectly above the notch 86 the lever 71 is then entirely free to makean operative engagement of the shaft 31 with the hollow shaft 70. 4Thiscondition of the parts occurs when the coin has been fully inserted inthe slot below the end 82 of lever and lies in contact with the edge ofthe lug 91. The machine can then be operated i'n the desired manner todeliver and atix a stamp.

Because of the tension of the spring 92 the edge of the lug 91 of thelever 90 will be held against the edge of the coin and the coin will beretained in this position until.

released by mechanism described below. As before stated this machine isdesigned to deliver two stamps after a single co1n 1s 1nserted. Theoperation of the mechanism whereby two stamps are delivered by the samecoin is as follows: When the gear 101 has made half a revolution theinclined lug 116 comes into contact with the lug 95, and causes themovement of said lever against the spring 92 and releases the coin fromengagement with the lug 91. The lug 94 then snaps back into contact withthe surfaces of the gear 101 and is thereby prevented from coming backinto a position above the arm 75 of the lever 71. Another revolutiontherefore of the shafts 31 and 70 can be made and another stampdelivered.

At the end of this second revolution, howq ever, the lug 95 of the lever90 drops into the aperture 115. This brings thelug 94 into a positionabove the end of the arm 75 and prevents another revolution of the saidshafts 70 because of the disengagement of the hooked end of the lever 71with the notch 35. The handle can then be rotated idly only, withoutcausing an operatihn of the mechanism. The lever 80 with its slotclosing end cannot be tampered with af-` ter the machine has once beenstarted until the complete revolution of the gear 101 has taken place.ing the complete revolution of said gear 101. The means by which amovement of thelever 80 is prevented consists of the projection 110 onsaid lever and the ring shaped part 103 on the gear 101. After arevolution of the said gear 101 has been started the projection 110 liesinside of this ring and out of a position opposite to the notch 104 insaid ring. It will be seen that the lever 80 cannot be moved in such amanner as to cause the end 85 to open the slot 47 until a completerevolution of the gear has taken place. This complete revolution willagain bring the notch 104 to a position adjacent the lug 110. The lug110 can then move into the notch 104 and the end 85 can thereby bepushed back to uncover the slot. v

After the coin hasbeen released by the lug 91 of the lever 90 it dropsdown the chute 120 and through the slot 123 into the inclined chute 124.It will drop into the chute 124 provided the upper one of the threecoins has moved to the left and out of the way. This will have takenplace because of the fact that the lowermost coin in said chute has beenreleased and the second coin will have moved down to the lower end ofthe chute. The lowermost point in the chute is opened by the outwardlyswinging movement of the chute 124. This is Two stamps are delivereddur- Wardly and the slot 125 in the lower edge of the chute is 'movedaway from the shelf 127. The lowermost coin is then free -to drop andslide down the inclined guideway 139 to the box 140. In the meantimet-he notch 132 has been moved out to a position such that the projection131 fills said notch thereby lying across the bottom of the chute andpreventing the downward movement of the second coin. Vthen the chute hasdropped back to its normal position the lug lill no longer occupies thenotch 132 and the coin is free to go down lo the lower end of the chute.The slot 125 of course then lies above the shelf 127 and the coin cannotdrop out. In case no coin lies in the upper end of the chute 124 the arm130 can pass through the notch 129 without causing an outward swingingmovement of the chute 124. In that case of course the lowermost cornerwill not be released. As a matter of fact no coin will be released fromthe chute 124 until the said chute is filled with coins.

The operation ofthe crank pin 151, the slides 152, 170, and the camlever 182 has already been described. It, will be noted in general thatthe foot 153 and the needles 154 aixed thereto will begin to movedownwardly through the foot 174 carrying the pad17 The needles 154 willtherefore be caused to penetrate theypad and project below the lowersurface thereof. In the meantime the stamp 162 has been fed forward.This is accomplished by t-helever 182, slide 183 and the arms 200. Thearms 200 have the upwardly projecting pointed lugs 215 which engage thcperforations between the stamps and push the end stamp 162 forward. Bythe time the end of the stamp 162'has reached a position below the outeredge of the pad 175 the needles will be pushed down to a position readyto perforate said stamp. A further movement of the parts causes theneedles to passthrough the stamp and into the grooves 222 in the ends ofthe arms 200.

The pad 175 and the needles 154 move downwardly together and push thearms 200 beforethem. A suiiicient resistance, however, to the downwardmovement of the arms 200 to permit the perforation of the stamp by theneedles 154, has been offered by the springs 246. The upper ends ofthese springs stand in the path of the ends of the lugs 219 when thearms 200 are pushed downward. The curved ends 245 of the springs 246permit the lugs 219 to wedge them outwardly and to pass them. The arms200 then drop downwardly to the bottom of the basket 240. During theabove described operation the curved part 186 of the cam 180 has had aposition adjacent t0 the crank pin 151. yThis curved part 186 issubstantially concentric with the center of movement of the crank pinand thereby provides a rest for said cam. The further movement of thecrank pin, however, I

quickly causes it to come in contact with the inclined edge 187 and thelever 182 is pushed back carrying with it the .slide 183 and thereby thearms 200 are withdrawn from beneath the pad 175. The shoulder 188hastens the movement and the arms 200`are finally moved back to aposition such that their lugs 219 rest upon the'horizontally disposedends 248 of the spring 247. During their backward movement they havemoved upon the inclined part of the spring 247. During the abovedescribed operation the needles 154 and pad 175 have been movingdownwardly because of the action of the crank pin 151 upon the cam slots161 and 171. At about the same moment the arms 200 begin their forwardstamp feeding movement the moistener 260 is pushed forwardly out ofcontact with the moistening pad 280. This is brought about by means ofthe lugs 206 which come in contact with the lugs 272 of the moistenerslide 270. The downwardly curved edge 279 and t-he upwardly inclinedportion 277 of said edge act upon the lugs 265 in such a way as to movethe moistener 260 downwardly and then forwardly and upwardly to aposition beneath the outer and lower edge of the pad 175. In thisposition of course it will lie below the outer edge of the stamp as itis being carried down by the needles and the pad. Atthe proper momentthe moistener 260 is moved backwardly, this movement being effected bythe cam 180, cam lever 182 and slide lever 183 as previously described.The pad 17 5 presses the stamp against the moistener 260 and the partsare so proportioned that the springs 266 and 268 cause a pressure of themoistener upon the under side of the stamp during the backward movementof said moistener. The water that is carried by the moistener will betransferred to the gummed under portion of the stamp. The furtherdownward movement of the pad 175 presses the stamp against the letter orother article to which it is desired to aflix 1t. In the meantime themoistener has been completely drawn back into contact with themoistening pad 280 and out of the path of the stamp. The needles 154 arewlt-hdrawn from the stamp just before the pad reaches its lowermostposition, by the crank pin 151 which at this time comes into engagementwith the inclined portion 160n of the cam slot 160.

To deliver a dry stamp the end 294 of the lever 292 is pressed to theleft by the operator and the rear end 290 is moved to a position whichpermits the rear end 275 of the slide 270 to drop down. The lug A272then drops down to a position behind the shoulder 301 in the enlargedportion 300 of the slot 207. The moistener is thereby prevented frommoving forward. The end of qovanve the vslide v296 is rby this movement'brought-l, to a Aposition vout `of :the path of the stamp E and Ithe.said stamp 'drops into (the igroove 297. When :the operator lceasespressing .upon the 4end 294 the spring 308 causes lthe lever'to returnto itsfnormalpositien, during which movement |the slide 296 pushes 'thedry' stamp lout from Abeneath #the machine where it can'bepicked up bythe operator.

When inserting a new .ribbon of stamps into the machine the end of theforemost stamp is placed adjacent the edge o-f `the knife 249,'.and thelateral edges of the stamp in contact with the `upwardly projectinglu'gs 250. Previously the pressure plate 225 is elevated to ypermitthis. VThis is done aby removing the end of 'the spring 23) frombeneaththelug 229 on the mainframe. The

pressure 'plate 225 can 'be swung upwardly ,the vendin about its pivot227 entirely out-o1 ythe way for the insertion of the end-of theribbon-of stamps. Each-downward stroke of #the slide 152 causes the hook325 to eiect a movement of thestar wheel 323 and .to cause ftheindieating mechanism to show one stamp less through the .aperture 322-in the easing.

'From the foregoing description, it will 'be observed that 1I haveinvented a machine or i vendingor delivering stamps, llabels, tickets, 1or similar flexible devices, which wil ypositively and exactly sever thearticle or articles to be delivered rom a strip of such articles. 'Itwill further be observed that i have linvented improved coin controlledmechanism `for governing Jthe .operation .of machine, which reduces to aminimum t e 'liability -of the machine being fraudulently operated. Itwill further be evident that I have provided eicient :mechansm foraixing the delivered or vended stamp vor similar article to.an-cbj'ectlsuch as an envelop, which mechanism :may at will be renderedinoperative when is desired to deliver the stamp or similar article in.a dny icondition without aixing the same to an object. iWhile :l haveillustrated and 4described .my improved vending mechanism as governedfby a coin controlled mechanism, and as used in connection with axingmechanism, it should be understood that my 'improved vending mechanismis capable of practicalf use for some purposes independently of vanycoin 4controlled .or me isms.

I .do -not in this Aalziplicatioau claim lthe coi-n controtled'mechanism 'herein .il'lustrated and described, as said `coincemtrollrled mechanism forms the subject-matter 2otf' .my impendingdivisional application Serial No. 599,18!1,' filed December 24, 1910.

While I have described more .or 'less preciserl'y the details ofconstruction, I do wlsh to be understood as limiting myselfi thereto, asI lconteInplate changes in form and :the proportion cf parts and thesub-l stitution of equivalents as circumstances l'may suggest or yrenderexpedient without departing from the spirit of my invention.

1. `In amachine for delivering stamps and similar articles, thecombination with feeding mechanism lfor engaging and feeding Iorwarel'astrip of'stampa'of a reciprocating member movingin a plane transverse toand into' the path of the feeding mechanism, a vcutting edge locatedadjacent the path of .said member and over which the stamps are fed,'means for moving said feeding mechanismltoward and into the path ofsaid lmember to project the stamp beneath said member, and forwithdrawing the feeding mechanism away from` the path of said member,and automatic means for -movingsaid member to 'engage the saidunderlying stamp and force 'the same past said cutting edge vwhilesupported 'by 'the feeding mechanism.

2. 'In a machine for delivering stamps and similar articles, thecombination with feeding mechanism for engaging and *feeding forwardastrip of stamps, of a lreciprocating member `moving in a planetransverse to vand intersecting the path-of the feeding mechanism, acutting edge located adjacent the path of said member and over which thestamps are ifed, means for 1moving said feed-` ing mechanism toward thepath of said 1 member to project the stamp beneath said member, meansfor `penetrating the stamp fed forward by the feeding mechanism andretaining the same vin the path-of said member` means for withdrawingthe feeding mechanism away from the pat-'h of said member, and automaticmeans for moving said member to engage the said underlying stamp andforce the same past said cutting edge` '3. '-In a machine *fordelivering stamps and similar articles, the 'combination with`reciprocating feeding mechanism for engaging and #feeding forward astrip of stamps, of av reciprocating member moving in a planeVtransverse to and intersecting the lpath of :the feeding mechanism, acutting edge klo- 'catedadjaceut the path of said member with which Smidmember directly cooperates te successively sever thestarnps and-overwhich .fthe stamps are ed, means for moving said feeding .mechanism:toward the path of 4said member 1to 'the stamp beneath said member,means 01- moving lsaid memberffto *engage be Imderlying stamp and orcethe same past said cutting edge, and positively actuated means :formcistening fthe stamp while underlying and directly resting vagainstsaid .reciprocating member.

et. In a machine tor vending stamps and :similar articles, .thecombination with a air .of spaced arms for .engagin and f ing ferwasrd:a strip of stamps, cfg; cutting edge over which the stamps are f.ted bysaid arms,

means moving in a plane intersecting the after they are fed over saidcutting edge and forcing them past the cutting edge, and means forretracting said arms out of the path of said last mentioned means.

5. In a machine for vending stamps and similar articles, the combinationwith a pair of spaced arms for engaging and feeding forward a strip ofstamps, of a cutting edge over which the stamps are fed by said arms,means engaging the stamps after they are fed over said cutting edge andforcing them past the cutting edge, means for retracting said arms outof the path of said last mentioned means, and means for moistening thesevered stamps.

6. Ina machine for vending stamps and similar articles, the combinationwith feeding mechanism comprising points adapted to engage theperforations betweenadjacent stamps in a strip of stamps, of areciprocating member adapted to successively enga e the stamps afterthey are fed forward by t e feeding mechanism and intersecting the pathof said feeding mechanism, means coperating with said reciprocatingmember for successively severing the stamps after they are presented bysaid feeding mechanism beneath said reciprocating member, and means forfirst actuating said feeding mechanism and subsequently automaticallyactuating said reciprocating member during each operation of themachine. v

7. In a machine for vending stamps and similar articles, the combinationwith feeding mechanism comprising points adapted to engage theperforations between adjacent stamps in a strip of stamps, of areciprocating member adapted to successively engage the stamps afterthey are fed forward by the feeding mechanism, means for successivelysevering the stamps after they are presented by said feeding mechanismbeneath said reciprocating member, and means for moistening the stampsafter they are severed and while engaged by said reciprocating member.

y 8. In a machine for delivering stamps and similar articles, thecombination with mechanism for engaging and feeding forward a stamp, ofreciprocating mechanism for hold- Ying the projected stamp whileV it isbeing held by said feeding mechanism, means for withdrawing the feedingmechanism, and means for removing the projected stamp from said holdingmechanism.

9. In a machine for delivering stamps and similar articles, thecombination with mechanism for engaging and feeding forward a stamp, ofmechanism for engaging the pro- -iected stamp while being held by saidfeedmg mechanism, mea-ns for withdrawing the feeding mechanism, meansfor removing the stamp from said engaging mechanism, and

means for moistening the stamp prior to its removal from said en ginmechanism.

10. In a machine or divering stamps and similar. articles, thecombination with a driving shaft, of reciprocating mechanism forfeedingforward av stamp, mechanism for engaging a projected stamp while beingheld by said feeding mechanism, mechanism for moistening the stamp,mechanism for pressing the moistened stamp against a surface, andconnections operated by said shaft for successively automaticallyactuating said several mechanisms in the stated sequence during eachoperation.

11. In a machine for vending stamps and similar articles, thecombination with recip-- while supported by said arms and forcing4 thesame past said cut-ting edge.

12. In a machine for vending stamps and similar articles, thecombination with reciprocating feeding arms adapted to engage and feedforward a strip of stamps, of a pressuremember for retaining the stampsagainst said feeding arms, pointed projections on said arms adapted toengage the perforations between adjacent stamps, means for moving saidarms forward, a cutting edge over which the stamps are successively fedby "said arms, reciprocating needles for engaging the stamps after theyare fed forward and while supported by said arms, andA means for forcingthe stamps while held by said needles past. said cutting edge.

13. AIn a machine for vending stamps and similar articles, thecombination with reciprocating feeding arms adapted to engage and feedforward a strip of stamps, of a pressure member for retaining the stampsagainst said feeding arms, pointed projections on said arms adapted toengage the perforations between adjacent stamps, means for moving saidarms forward, a cutting edge over which the stamps are successively fedby said arms, reciprocating needles for engaging the stamps after theyare fed forward by said arms, means-for forcing the l stamps while heldby said needles past said -cutting edge, andlmeans for disengagin the

